Keep reading to know more such interesting benefits of this fruit.
What Is Longan?
Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a small, round, sweet, and watery fruit that is verry similar to lychee fruit. It has a yellowish-brown thick shell, also known as a pericarp, which hardens as it ages. When it‘s young and fresh, you can peel the pericarp off to get a translucent, white, watery pulp embedding a big black seed, almost like an eye. You need to separate the seed to eat it. However, the seeds can also be processed to obtain essential oils and extracts. These super delicious tropical fruits of the Sapindaceae family are grown widely in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, and China. Locals use longan in sorbets, jellies, salads, desserts, and puddings. But longan is not just another exotic South-Asian fruit since it has been used for many years in traditional medicine. Let’s explore the different ways longan can help your body and nurse you to health.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Longan?
1. Has Anticancer Effects
Longans have high levels of polyphenols. The polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid eliminate the stress-causing free radicals and toxic intermediates that can cause cancer. The fruit, flower, and the seed are equally potent antioxidants. Traditional Chinese medicine has used longan seed extracts that interfere with DNA synthesis and suppress the undesirable oncoproteins in the tumors, in turn, destroying them. Hence, consuming longan fruits or seed extract powders can systematically inhibit breast, colorectal, liver, lung, and cervix cancer cells (1).
2. Has Anti-inflammatory Effects
The Asians used longan fruit pulp to heal wounds, allergies, flu, and other inflammatory diseases. The pericarp (outer layer), pulp, and seeds have anti-inflammatory phytochemicals like gallic acid, epicatechin, and ellagic acid.(2) These compounds inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins, histamines, nitric oxide, and tissue necrosis factor (TNF) in your body (3). Also, because of the abundance of vitamins B and C, longans promote healing and treat chronic inflammatory conditions like edema, GERD, irritable bowel disease (IBS), skin allergies, wounds, burns, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease.(4)
3. Treats Anemia And Iron Deficiency
Longan extracts, along with other native herbs, are used in Chinese traditional medicine to cure intractable anemia, thrombocytopenia, and other blood-related disorders. It was identified that urban women who did not maintain WHO recommended level of iron in their diets (5). Dried longans contain 1.5 mg of iron per ounce. Having longans in your fruit custard or salad will boost the platelet count and hemoglobin concentration – especially in menstruating and expecting women (6).
4. Gives Young And Glowing Skin
Phytochemicals have always been the best solution to treat various disorders, and longan has them in abundance. Bioactive compounds like corilagin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid in dried longans possess the highest free radical scavenging activity. The fruit also has antityrosinase activity and hence can prevent the onset of cancers (7). Consuming such a potent antioxidant can give you clean, bright, and spotless skin with reduced risk of developing photosensitivity or skin cancer.
5. Reduces Stress And Treats Insomnia
Commercially available drugs to treat insomnia that target the GABA receptors, histamine receptors, and other active centers of your brain have temporary benefits and long-term side effects. The leaves and pulp of longan have bioactive compounds that suppress the levels of neurotransmitters that cause anxiety, insomnia, and stress. A 2014 research claims that longans, in combination with other hypnotic derivatives, can increase the rate of sleep and sleep duration. This fruit can also enhance learning and memory by increasing the rate of immature neuronal survival (8),(9). Though the mechanism is yet to be understood, it doesn’t hurt to start eating this little tangy-sweet, fibrous, and pulpy fruit for all the health benefits it may provide.
Longan seeds are excellent antifungal agents. Mouthwashes containing longan extracts can fight oral infections caused by fungi (Candida and Cryptococcus species) Because of their saponin content, longan seeds are dried and used in shampoos and hair washes. The Chinese call the longan ‘Dragon’s eye’ because of the black colored seed it has – resembling an eye.
And when you look at the nutritional profile of longan, you have even more reason to love this deliciously sweet and musky fruit. Check it out!
Nutrient Profile Of Longan
You must be wondering if there’s a way to rope in all the vitamin C, potassium, and the fiber this fruit contains. I’ve got that covered! I’ve collected some simple and quick recipes with longans for you. Would you want to give then a shot? Scroll down!
2 Quick And Simple Recipes With Longan Fruit
1. Longan-Banana Smoothie
Longan fruits: 5, fresh and ripe Banana: 1 Coconut milk or water: 1 cup Blender
2. Longan Steamed Egg Custard
Longans: 8 fresh, peeled Longan syrup: 2 cups Eggs: 3, medium-large size Baking ramekins
Note: The quantity of beaten eggs should be exactly equal to that of longan syrup. Here, the volume is set to 2 cups each. Weren’t you instantly transported to the East Asian kitchens and seas? Such is longan’s exotic taste! Though they taste heavenly and are bountiful nutrient carriers, could there be drawbacks of eating longan fruits? Let’s find out!
What Are The Side Effects Of Eating Longan Fruits?
There are not many side effects of binging on longans that have been documented. But there is a possibility that you can be allergic to longan. The chances are super low, though. The key is portion size. But there’s one concern that stands out –
High Carbs And Sugar Content
People with diabetes should not consume longans. Although it boosts your immunity because of its high levels of vitamins C and B, what’s alarming is the sugar content. Each ounce of raw longans has about 20.7 g of carbs. This might increase the blood glucose levels in susceptible people. You can try other low carb alternatives like melons, camu camu, and berries to get your dose of these vitamins and minerals. Can you eat longan fruit during pregnancy? Food taboos across the world say no to ‘wet-hot’ foods like mangoes, lychees, pineapple, and shrimp during pregnancy. Such foods increase the internal heat in your body, causing problems in the unborn child and while delivering. Traditions in the Eastern and African countries prohibit consumption of such foods (10). Since research has not proven it yet, you should consult your doctor about having longans while you are carrying or nursing your child. How long does it take for a longan tree to bear fruits? What is the best season? Seedling trees may take up to 6 years to bear fruits, whereas air layered trees may bear fruits 2 to 3 years after planting. The main blooming season for longans is from February/March through April and the beginning of May. Harvest is generally during June, July, or August. However, some cultivars produce off-season blooms and fruits are harvested 3 to 6 months later. Is longan good for high blood pressure? Yes, longan fruit is rich in potassium and may help lower high blood pressure (11). Is longan acidic or alkaline? Logan is alkaline when fresh but may turn acidic upon drying or processing. Can I eat longan during my periods? Yes, drinking longan tea or eating longan during menstruation can nourish the blood as it is rich in iron. The fruit may also help reduce menstrual cramps. How do you store longan fruit? Longan fruits can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. While its skin may harden a little, it would be fit for consumption for at least two weeks.
